Travel insurance- is it a pre-existing medical condition?

mellybee

Hi! I've never taken out a travel insurance policy before, but the OH and I are going to Vegas in a few weeks (eek!) and the thought of paying for US medical care terrifies me! :eek:

What I can't quite establish is whether I need to declare a pre-existing medical condition. I have a congenital medical condition that means I had pins and rods inserted into my spine nearly 8 years ago to correct a kyphosis. 18 hour, major surgery, but it's not had any lasting effects apart from a couple of whacking great scars and the odd (largely bearable) bout of back pain. Obviously in the event of a horrible accident, this may change the nature of how I have to be cared for, but as I take no medications or even see a doctor for it any more, I'm not sure if it counts and I don't want to pay over the odds! Does anyone have any advice? Thank you :beer:

lil.smartie

Read all the small print, although from memory if you are discharged from the consultant and on no medication/on going treatment usually you are fine.

Some very good hospitals in Vegas although I hope you don't need them!!

Kate

luci

lil.smartie wrote: »

Read all the small print, although from memory if you are discharged from the consultant and on no medication/on going treatment usually you are fine.

Some very good hospitals in Vegas although I hope you don't need them!!

Kate

I disagree with the above. You need to answer the medical questions that are asked, which sometimes say "Have you EVER....", some say "In the past 5 years", etc.

To be on the safe side you should declare it and let the insurer decide if it is relevant or not.

https://www.eta.co.uk only need to know if you have had a change in medication in the previous 12 months so that may be a safe bet.

There is some good information on what to look for when taking out travel insurance HERE

mkknrtn

Hiya,

I'm a claims assessor for a travel insurance company and I cannot stress to you how important it is to declare ANY pre-exsisiting medical conditions!

It's true that all policies are totally different and some will only class a PEM as something which has required surgery/inpatient treatment in the last 12 months, being on a waiting lists of taking any medication... but some and quite strict. I know for a fact that medical care in america is incredibly expensive, and it's not only a one time payment you usually need to make. Almost all cases I've encountered is when a small proportion of the medical costs are paid up front, then six months down the line you receive a whopping great invoice.

Which ever company you choose, ring them up and tell them the situation. You might have a pay an additional premium, but if it's something which has not been a problem for a matter or years you may not. In any case, if you tell them and regardless of a charge, you've declared it and you know it's covered if anything does happen.

One other thing worth a mention, if you do encounter any medical woes whilst on holiday, ALWAYS contact the medical emergency number which is on your policy- ESPECIALLY if you're going to America! They will look to cover the costs for you there and then so you never even see a bill- and you could be penalised if you don't contact them if your claim becomes very excessive and the insurance company thinks they could have cost contained in any way.

Hope that helped